I read the pre-reviews about this book and was really looking forward to this read. However, I found this book to be a big disappointment. The theme was good but the writing was choppy and at times flowed in a rather disconnected way. In addition, a lot of irrelevant ramblings. Not an author I will again. My three- star is generous.

Synopsis:

Seamlessly blending classic horror and a dramatic narrative with sharp social commentary, The Only Good Indians follows four American Indian men after a disturbing event from their youth puts them in a desperate struggle for their lives. Tracked by an entity bent on revenge, these childhood friends are helpless as the culture and traditions they left behind catch up to them in a violent, vengeful way.
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Stephen Graham Jones is a gifted author and I look forward to seeing what he writes next.

I grew up in a world of deer hunters. My daddy shot a deer in our yard from the living room of our house when my mom was pregnant with me. My first word was "deer." We had taxidermy deer heads lining the walls of our house, and my parents still have those same deer along their walls til this day. I was raised being told my grandfather was half-Cherokee, but we never really practiced any Native lifestyles. And who knows what my heritage is? I've yet to take any kind of DNA testing, so I'm unsure of family's history. But since I wasn't raised practicing Native customs, I would not call myself Native. I do not really understand or know the struggles of Indigenous peoples. I requested a copy of The Only Good Indians because I was so intrigued by the cover, but I was a bit uncomfortable with the title once I found out the book was about Native Americans. After looking more into the book, I realized it's actually written by a very popular Indigenous horror author that I'd never heard of before. He's written tons of terrifying horror stories and is compared to Jordan Peele, which totally makes sense. Both of them write horror stories that speak much deeper than the words on the surface - they speak of racism and oppression. They're critical pieces of art (literature, film). And while I chose the book initially because I thought it was a deer on the cover, I came to find the story was actually about elk, and I spent a lot of time while reading the book trying to learn more about elks.

After an unfortunate event involving the slaughter of an elk herd on a day lovingly referred to as the "Thanksgiving Classic," a group of four friends is stalked by a vengeful entity hellbent on taking back what was taken from them. Each of the four men have taken steps away from many pieces of their culture identity and the traditions they were raised upon.

Wow. So there has been a lot of controversy surrounding this book, and oddly not because the content of the book. Many reviewers have been addressing their dislike for this book because they "couldn't relate." This book is definitely about cultural identity, and there were some things that I was not familiar with, but that absolutely did not take away from this story. The things I didn't understand, I googled. There were also some weird issues with the topic of basketball, because apparently basketball being popular about Indigenous folks is weird? I don't know. But here's the thing - I'm speaking out against these ridiculous White folks who had issues with this book because of the "relatability" of the story. If anything, I would be more understanding of complaints about the gore, violence, and death in this book of both humans and animals, because it was really, really graphic. But this is a horror story, and those things could definitely before foreseen. Even the official synopsis discusses the topics of disturbing violence, and it was certainly disturbing. And here's the thing - the point of reading is to learn about different people, different experiences, stories that are unlike your own. If we wanted things to be "relatable," would so many people love a book about a boy wizard? For Christ's sake, how many of us are boy wizards? So forget the ignorance, and read this book because it is incredible literary horror.

This book started out as a bit of a slow burn. The epilogue was incredible. But once I got into the first chapter, I was intrigued but it wasn't unputdownable. But then about of a third of the way through the book, things turned around real fast. The story got incredibly intense, terrifying, and I had to keep going because I had to know what the hell was going to happen next. This story was unbelievable in the best way, because it was so intense. I was petrified as I read. It's the kind of horror that creeps up under your skin until you're itching all over and cannot get away from your fear.

My biggest complaint about this book is, at times, the writing is almost stream of consciousness, and could get a bit confusing at points - but that's more a preference in the type of writing I enjoy. It wasn't always like that, but some parts of the book that were more focused on the perspective of a specific character were the parts that I noticed the most. But overall, the story-telling was phenomenal.

"If the only good Indian is a dead one, then she's going to be the worst Indian ever." - The Only Good Indians, Stephen Graham Jones

The Only Good Indians is a horrifying tale of revenge with violent and disturbing scenes of gore and death. This was my first time reading Stephen Graham Jones and I certainly plan to read more from him. His writing style and story-telling are reminiscent of classic Stephen King horror tales. This is a dark book, but if you are a horror fan, I would highly recommend this book.

I honestly could not get in to this one after repeated attempts. I feel that the story line is rather slow for my liking. There were aspects that peaked my interest, like the fight scene outside of the bar in the beginning; however, overall, there seemed to not be a lot happening. I may try to pick it back up in the future though since I know so many people have raved about how amazing this book is.

First of all, thank you to Macmillian and Net Galley for an eARC of The Only Good Indians!

I would like to start off this review by mentioning that I am not Blackfeet, nor do I usually read horror. I've seen so many reviews written by white reviewers that say this wasn't for them, or they didn't understand it. I am not Blackfeet and I don't read horror, but this book is still astounding.

Lewis, Gabirel, and Cassidy went on a hunt in land they shouldn't be, and killed more than they needed. Lewis killed a young, pregnant mother, and the guilt of that lasts ten years until he spirals. The book switches from third POV to a second person POV of the avenging deer who is going after Gabe and Cass.

First off, THIS WRITING. Yes, the story is a bit slow, but it's also a quick read, because you want to know what happens but don't want to (I think that's the horror suspense bit, yeah?). It's slow for a reason, because the writing is just beautiful, meant to pull the reader in with the mystery. As someone who doesn't read horror, I did have a bit of a rough time with the gore, but I knew what I was getting into after reading some reviews beforehand. Whoooo was it rough at times, but I pushed through.

I don't know how Stephen Graham Jones did it, but he switched effortlessley after Lewis' story. And despite not being a fan of horror, I really enjoyed it. Just know what you're getting into. Is this different than other horror stories? Probably. It's an own voices horror, and I just hope that readers and reviewers keep that in mind when they step into the story. Cannot recommend this enough!

I have been waiting for this book for a long time and it lives up to the hype for sure! I really wanted to read this book because it was written by a Native American author. It is something that is important to note because of story giving us a glance into what it is like living on the Rez and off it as a Native American. The author has the background to provide us with accurate information and feelings. The horror elements in the book reminds me of slasher films! I personally loved the gore and horror, but those with a weak stomach, beware!

This was an excellent read that helped to learn something more about the Native American culture and was highly entertaining.
It's an eerie and creepy story, a well written horror that starts slow but keeps you hooked till the last page.
I loved the storytelling, the well thought characters and the world building.
It was an excellent read and I strongly recommend it.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

4.25/5⭐️

Personally I feel that the best part about reading books that have characters & plot based on a different culture, is that the reader gets to know a part of culture, gets to feel how the characters in the book felt, either fiction or based on true events. The Only Good Indians is one such book that taught me a part of Native American culture. Divided into Prologue and 3 parts, the story revolves around 4 men whose mistakes come back to haunt them - literally.

This book is equal parts literature & horror. Although I’m not that well versed or a big literature reader, I definitely was able to appreciate the incorporation of the two genres and felt the premonition. The characters, helped maintain the “suspense”. The pace of the story was off around part 2, but it made me come back to read what happens next!

If you’re expecting a preconceived notion of horror, you’re gonna be disappointed. The thrills take off slow, but it sure gives the chills. If you are a fan of literary fiction, read this one and thank me later.

Thank you Netgalley, Gallery/Saga press & author Jones for the ARC. This review is my own & is not influenced in any way.

I had literally no idea what was going on for the first 20% of the book, but I am SO glad I stuck with it because this book was absolutely amazing. Eerie and haunting, but not outright scary. You know that feeling of looking through a dark window, knowing something could be looking back on you but you can't see them, if they're really there? THAT is the feeling this book invokes. The ending was absolute perfection. Highly recommend.

The Only Good Indians was a brilliant character-driven horror story that was rich in culture and legend. This was my first book by Stephen Graham Jones, but it won't be the last!

One thing is for sure, Jones writes characters wonderfully. This was a very character-driven novel - which is my favorite kind. But in the beginning he is almost dealing with one character at a time, developing their story and how they deal with this curse and then moving on to the next one. Then he throws in the point of view of this... "entity" instead of it being sort of just a concept. And that threw me a bit. But then it all wraps up neatly at the end... well, not neatly - it was pretty messy actually - but... it wraps up.

The plotting was original. Going through each of the four friends and telling their stories almost separately, though inexplicably linked. And the very end felt like we were coming full-circle, which was satisfying.

MY RATING:
Story: 4
Characters: 5
Overall: 4.5 stars

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Only reason I cannot rave about this book is because I don’t like horror stories. This one was a hair-raiser. It was scary and every other synonym you can think of for creepy. Following the three Blackfeet men who have been friends since they were failures as kids, along with the violence it emphasized the treatment Indians have gotten from society since the beginning of the European invasion, so maybe a horror story is the best way to treat the subject.

Book Review: The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones 🦌 ⁣
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5⁣
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51/50 for 2020⁣
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Thank you @netgalley and @sagasff for my digital copy of this phenomenal book. ⁣
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“The Only Good Indians follows four American Indian men after a disturbing event from their youth puts them in a desperate struggle for their lives. Tracked by an entity bent on revenge, these childhood friends are helpless as the culture and traditions they left behind catch up to them in a violent, vengeful way.”⁣
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This book left me speechless and breathless. I’ve sat with it tonight after finishing and I still don’t really feel like I can do it any justice with a review. ⁣
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This is unique horror on another level. The skillful build of suspense and dread, the mix of supernatural elements and pure gore, everything comes together to leave you shaken. ⁣
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In addition to dishing out pure gritty horror, SGJ illustrates Indigenous American tradition and contemporary life in a way that made the story so much deeper. ⁣
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@anishinaabekwereads has a fantastic #ownvoices review and recommendations for non-Indigenous friends reading Indigenous literature. She also speaks on the importance of representation so bop on over to her page and read her thoughts!
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@sagasff has an interview with SGJ talking about representation on their IGTV too and it’s definitely worth watching either before or after reading TOGI.⁣

Four Indian American men have a dark secret of a youthful hunting trip gone wrong. Now as adults, they've tried to move forward from their shared history and culture, but there's a dark entity not ready to let them forget.

Dark, creeping, and atmospheric, this book certainly has a sense of fantastical horror. And I made the mistake several times of reading it before bed! I really appreciate the push and pull of the main characters' relationships with Indian American culture, and the theme of nature never forgetting how it was wronged. This book often feels like a fever dream where you can't tell what is real and what isn't, but everything is scary. If you're into that vibe, you'll love this book! I must say that it left me a little lost and confused in a way that pulled me out of the story at times. But if you're looking for dark horror with complex themes, you'll love it!

I requested an eARC of The Only Good Indians last year and was approved on Thanksgiving (nice play, @gallerybooks , nice play) and took my darn sweet time getting to it. I haven't read Jones before, but stumbled upon his website a couple years ago and immediately loved him, the person who blogs critically about all things horror.

I think this horror novel rooted in Native, specifically Blackfeet, tradition is brilliant. The way Jones is able to incorporate Indigenous tradition into modern-day Indigenous life while building tension and then just occasionally scaring the crap out the reader is admirable. The first section immediately draws you in, and the end... Jones gives the reader the tiniest little twist that sets all the pieces you've been holding through most of novel neatly into place.

So here's the thing. The Only Good Indians is a horror novel, yes, but it's not a thriller. Some of Jones's tricks are so subtle that you have to be paying attention... As in, you cannot skim this novel and say you read it. The other thing I caution is you really have to be able to suspend your disbelief for this one, especially if you're a Western reader that reads mostly contemporary fiction.

So do I recommend? Yes, absolutely! But with caution, because what I don't want to see is a book undervalued because it got the wrong reader.

Revenge is a dish best served cold. - quote attributed to many sources

I have been looking forward to this horror book and I was not disappointed.

Ten years ago four Native American men went on an illegal elk hunt. It was on their Blackfeet reservation but it happened in an area reserved for tribal elders. This spontaneous act starts a snowballing landslide of revenge against these four men.

This book was different and it took me awhile to immerse myself in the story but I am so glad I persevered and read until the end.

The story is told in different segments by the four men and also by some of their loved ones.

In some ways it reminded me of the novella THE WENDIGO written by author Blackwood. There was another horror book I read about the Wendigo MANY years ago but I can't remember the author but it seems like, from what I remember, there were similarities in it too.

I appreciated that the book is written by a Native American author about Native Americans. It does tip the scale, at least to me though, from the horror genre more towards literary fiction.

I highly recommend this book.

I received this book from Saga Press through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.

This book definitely felt different than many books I’ve read or that I would consider reading. I enjoyed reading from an Indian perspective, something that is quite rare. It was a great combination of suspense, thriller, and folk lore. Unfortunately, it involved a few things that don’t ring my bells: hunting, motorcycles, the intricacies or basketball. But otherwise it was quite enjoyable! Would definitely recommend.

I have been trying my best to ensure that I am actively reading more diverse voices these days, so I was really excited when I was approved for this ARC back in April. The overall premise was incredibly alluring - four lifelong American Indian friends are haunted by a disturbing event that occurred nearly a decade previously. Not only are they haunted, but they're individually being hunted down by an unknown entity hellbent on exacting its revenge.

The overall story telling had so many wonderful qualities. Stephen Graham Jones has a way of bringing his characters to life that I haven't experienced in quite some time, and the unique and fresh voices of present day American Indians added a lot of impact and social commentary to the overall story. The overall plot was definitely original to me, and there were plenty of wonderfully creepy parts that kept me coming back throughout.

Unfortunately, while there were many things that I thoroughly enjoyed about this book, there were just too many things that I struggled with for this to reach a four-star rating for me. I can't truly say why, but the overall pacing couldn't keep my attention. I started this so many times over the past few months only to put it back down after a chapter or two. I also struggled to understand the "WHY" behind the overall story - as the actions didn't seem worthy of the consequences. But my biggest detraction overall was the graphic nature of certain scenes involving animals - despite it being nearly 3/4 of the way through the novel it took a lot for me to pick it back up after that.

So for me, this was a solid 3.478 - definitely worth picking up, but it won't be a contender for my own personal BOTY.

Four Native Americans kill an elk years in the past and live, and die, to regret it. After all, The Only Good Indians are vegan Indians.

The first part of the book has the pacing and the plot of a thriller. However, the middle slows down substantially to a slow-burn horror tale’s speed. Luckily, the ending once again picks up the pace leading to a slam-bam conclusion.

When I realized what the monster was initially, I thought it was silly. But the author convinced me by the end why it should be feared. I’m sure someone will option this book for a movie and I can’t wait to see it.

The Only Good Indians is defiantly not politically correct. If that bothers you, you should skip this book. I also wouldn’t recommend it to thriller fans due to the pacing issues I described above. However, if you love horror and are bored with the usual zombies, werewolves, and vampires, you must read this surprisingly fresh monster novel. 4 stars!

Thanks to Saga Press, Gallery Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is a tremendous novel. I read it in one gulp, and was so happy- as there aren’t enough horror novels these days, and to incorporate Native American culture was superb. Am telling everyone to read this!

This one has been on my TBR since the first moment I heard of it.

This unnerving, unsettling, understated horror book will leave you satisfied AND longing for more, all at the same time. On the eve of an anniversary of a hunting incident on Indigenous land by Indigenous men unauthorized to hunt there, weird things start happening, and within the span of a few days, many are left dead. “Tracked by an entity bent on revenge, these childhood friends are helpless as the culture and traditions they left behind catch up to them in a violent, vengeful way.” Snagged that line from the original summary, because it’s too good and apt to change.

This one is weird. I mean that in the best, possible way. I love my fiction weird, and I love my horror weird. This book is everything I love about horror. It’s got solid social commentary (which all good horror should do), it’s a bit horror for its own sake, presented without a lot of explanation or apology, and the characters are sometimes unreliable narrators. I flew through this one, and I’d like to revisit it at some point, having full context for each of the friend’s stories.

It’s out now, so don’t sleep on it. I’d love more of all these elements in the modern book world, please, particularly modern Indigenous stories.